IT HAPPENS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER by Ellen Jackson
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Editors D to KAll the information contained in this list can be found online, and I therefore presume that it can be made public. Please use this list responsibly. Think very carefully before sending manuscripts to a listed editor. Not all of them are open to unsolicited manuscripts. Check another source, such as CWIM and the publisher’s guidelines, for additional information about how and if to contact each person. MELANIE KROUPA–editor-at-large, Marshall Cavendish. Especially interested in middle grade and young adult fiction., although she is open to picture books and narrative nonfiction as well. She is open to unsolicited manuscripts. Her address is: Melanie Kroupa, 52 Church Street, Dedham, MA 02026. SUSAN KOCHAN–editor, Putnam. PBs–We publish young, lively books that kids will want to read over and over. We mostly try to reach two- to six-year-olds (or up to first grade). Language play, rhythm, kid-friendly topics and conflicts, and strong, active characters are things we like. MG and YA--We are looking for fiction mainly for the 9-11 group. We don't do many series, and mostly only after the first book has done well. Strong characters, interesting/great voice, and quick-moving plots for both. Try to write about universal childhood experiences. Publishing books about other cultures is great, but they have to appeal to the American audience. CHERYL KLEIN is the senior editor at Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic. Among the titles she has edited are A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce, winner of the inaugural William C. Morris Award for a YA debut novel; Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit by Nahoko Uehashi, translated by Cathy Hirano, winner of the Mildred L. Batchelder Award for a book in translation; Millicent Min, Girl Genius, and four other novels by Lisa Yee (coedited with Arthur Levine); and Marcelo in the Real World, by Francisco X. Stork. She also served as the continuity editor for the last three books of the Harry Potter series. Visit her editorial website at www.cherylklein.com. GRACE ELIZABETH KENDALL is an Editorial Assistant at The Blue Sky Press and Scholastic Press. Grace assists Bonnie Verburg and Dianne Hess with a wide range of material from board books to YA novels, both fiction and nonfiction. Recently, she assisted Bonnie with The Doom Machine, a novel written and illustrated by Mark Teague, and Living Sunlight: How Plants Brings the Earth to Life by Molly Bang an Penny Chisholm (illustrated by Molly Bang). And she assisted Diane with Testing the Ice by Sharon Robinson (illustrated by Kadir Nelson) and Truce: The Day the Soldiers Stopped Fighting by Jim Murphy. The editors she works with are always looking for well-crafted, engaging, enjoyable, and enlightening children’s literature. ANDREW KARRE is the editorial director of Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group. He acquires fiction and nonfiction for children of all ages, but he's particularly passionate about YA. Andrew has published Maggie Stiefvater, Simone Elkeles, Carrie Jones, and Laurie Stolarz among many others. CECILY KAISER–Editorial Director, Abrams. Ms. Kaiser targets children five years old and younger. She is responsible for “conceptualizing, launching, and managing all aspects” of Abram’s new emphasis. Ms. Kaiser is also a published author. Some of her published credits include On The First Night Of Chanukah, Over In The Meadow (Scholastic Hands-on Learning Stacking Ca), Tonka Trucks (Scholastic Hands-on Learning Stacking Ca), and Schol Reader Level 2: If You're Angry And You Know It: If You're Angry And You Know It (Schol Reader Level). ALLYN JOHNSTON is VP & Publisher of Beach Lane Books, a small imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing that is located on a flower-filled lane in San Diego, CA. Beach Lane publishes for all ages and across all genres, with a primary focus on lyrical, emotionally engaging, highly visual picture books for young children. She once said, “Picture books are a piece of theater on a 32-page stage.” She looks for books that create a bond between adult and child. Recent titles she’s edited are New York Times bestseller Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee, which received a Caldecott Honor. KATHERINE JACOBS is an Associate Editor at Roaring Brook Press in New York. Katherine works on everything from picture books through YA. She is interested in smart, fresh, character driven stories for all ages and is probably not the best match for gritty, dark, realistic YA novels. She is the editor of the chapter book series Gym Shorts by Betty Hicks as well as the middle-grade Cat Royal Adventure series by Julia Golding. Katherine has worked on books by Kazuno Kohara (Ghosts in the House!), Jacqueline Wilson (Best Friends), and Kate Thompson (Creature of the Night). She also works on nonfiction and is editing a picture book by Don Brown. JENNIFER HUNT is an Editorial Director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers where she oversees middle grade and young adult fiction acquisition. Her novels include National Book Award Winner, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, National Book Award Finalist , Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr, The Name of this Book is Secret series by Pseudonymous Bosch and the How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell. She is currently working on books with Cornelia Funke, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Paolo Bacigalupi and Jewell Parker Rhodes. CONNIE HSU is an Assistant Editor at Little Brown Books for Young Readers. Connie has seen it all, from board books to YA. She has edited The Devouring #1-3 (YA horror), The A-List Hollywood Royalty #1-2 (a spin-off from the bestselling The A-List series), and Moonshadow (MG ninja spy adventure). She has an affinity for Edward Gorey and Roald Dahl, and has acquired a similarly hilarious MG novel, The Adventures of Nanny Piggins. She also acquired the fully illustrated YA novel, Happyface by Emo Boy comic creator Stephen Emond (due out March 2010), and she recently acquired a PB biography based on Booker T. Washington by Guggebheim Fellow Jabari Asim. At one conference, Ms. Hsu mentioned (with tongue firmly planted in cheek) that she thinks children are “morbid and strange” and though she doesn’t want to see books about cute animals, she likes to see anything with dead animals. She describes herself as “hungry & completely strange." She loves it when animals talk about their humans. And speaking of animals, in picture books, she likes real 100% true animal stories- Marley and Me, Chowder, but not so much fiction starring animals. GRETCHEN HIRSCH, Assoc. Editor. Divides her time between Atheneum and McElderry - Gretchen loves YA paranormal stories and smart, sexy chick lit. She pines for literary books that are satisfying page-turners to boot. Also has a craving for YA series and non-fiction picture books. Some books she’s edited include Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey, What Will Fat Cat Sit On? By Jan Thomas, and the forthcoming The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting. Gretchen is looking for exciting and innovative books that will fit the literary heritage of both Antheneum and McElderry—offbeat PBs, innovative nonfiction, sweet and funny MG, and YA page-turners with lots of romance and suspense. Oh, and books with dogs. DIANNE HESS, Executive Editor at Scholastic Press, is looking for a fabulous story with a strong voice, universal theme, strong values, kid appeal, and books that can become enduring classics. She edits fiction and nonfiction picture books, as well as some chapter books, middle-grade fiction and nonfiction, and YA fiction. Dianne has edited numerous books, including The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth (forty weeks on the Book Sense Bestseller List); Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse, illustrated by Jon J. Muth (Society of Illustrators Gold Medal winner); I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by fifteen Coretta Scott King Award and Honor Book artists (winner of the NAACP Image Award); The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin by James Cross Giblin (ALA Notable, Orbis Pictus Honor Book); Blizzard! by Jim Murphy (Siebert Honor Book, ALA Notable); and The Great Fire by Jim Murphy (a Newbery Honor Book, Orbis Pictus Award, Boston-Globe Horn Book Honor). MIRIAM HEES is the Publisher of Blooming Tree Press in Austin, Texas. Blooming Tree Press began publishing Children’s and Young Adult Fiction in 2002 and will begin publishing Adult Fiction and Graphic Novels in 2010. The company is dedicated to creating quality books for young readers and adults. Submissions accepted from conference attendees (name of conference must be marked on the envelope) and for the Bloom Award only. With 5 current imprints, Blooming Tree Press has had 28 books in print since the end of 2009. Hees is a 4th generation Texan with a fabulous husband and two wonderful grown children. She loves to quilt, sew and crochet for her favorite charities and is also a pretty darn good amateur chef. MEIKA HASHIMOTO–editor, Golden Books, Random House. Ms. Hashimoto is the author of A Tale Of Two Gardens, Barbie: Fashion Fairytale, and Glimmer, Shimmer, and Shine!, among other RH Golden Books. Common themes of the Golden Books in the past have included nature and science, Bible stories, nursery rhyme, fairy tales, Christmas titles, and media tie-ins such as Sesame Street, the Muppets, Disney, Barbie, Power Rangers, etc. The fact that many old titles remain in print shows the strong nostalgia appeal of Little Golden Books, an imprint that first appeared in 1942. KATE HARRISON, Editor, Dial Books for Young Readers . Kate is drawn to a wide range of genres, from realistic fiction of any time period to fantasies grounded in everyday reality—and, above all, to stories “with unforgettable characters full of heart and sass. Bonus points if you make me guffaw at my desk.” Award-winning novels Kate has edited include Aurora County All-Stars by Deborah Wiles, Willow by Julia Hoban, and multi-award winners Orange Houses by Paul Griffin and Peak by Roland Smith. RACHEL GRIFFITHS–Editor, Scholastic Press. Rachel would like to see: “a really rotten villain,” as well as stories rooted in emotion, voice and character driven manuscripts. She looks for honesty, passion, a unique point of view, and a manuscript from which the perception of a fascinated mind comes through. Books she has edited include: The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda, 39 Clues Book One: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan (and others in the series), Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World by Craig Hatkoff, and Blue Mountain Trouble by Martin Mordecai. REGINA GRIFFIN, Egmont USA. Regina is actively seeking MG and YA novels. She also is open to debut writers. Unfortunately, Egmont USA does not take unsolicited Mss. Books Ms. Griffin recommends: Harriet, the Spy, The Penderwicks. What attracts her: a distinctive voice. What interests her: quirky, inventive, interesting characters. Query no-no's: “I read it to my kids and they loved it!” Regina says, "When I first started in this career, we used to get 30 manuscripts and 27 of them were really bad, so 3 got published. Now I get 30 manuscripts and 27 of them are excellent, but still, only 3 can get published." MARIA GOMEZ--Editor, HarperCollins. Ms. Gomez looks for earth-shattering romance, paranormal thrills, authentic characters and voices, and blockbuster hooks. Editor of THE THIRTEENTH PRINCESS. In tween (middle-grade) she likes fantasy and humor, projects that have series potential, and originality and authentic characters and voices. No one wants to read a book with a young protagonist who sounds like a middle-aged man (or woman). And, no, slang is not the answer. Advice for writers: "If you have to ask me what the difference between a middle-grade book and a young adult novel is, then please do not send me your manuscript. Actually, do everyone a favor and do not send your manuscript to anyone before you know the answer to this question. There’s a reason God invented Google." PAM GLAUBER, editor, Holiday House. Is seeking mss. from picture books to YA and she is open to fractured fairy tales, folk tales, curriculum tie-ins (science and nature, social studies, and math), mysteries, fantasy, and (her personal favorite) historical fiction. Holiday House will no longer reply unless there is editorial interest in a project. DONNA GERMAN is editor of Sylvan Dell Publishing, founded to promote “science and math through literature.” She is also the author of two award-winning children’s books—CAROLINA’S STORY and OCTAVIA as well as 16 cookbooks. Sylvan Dell publishes fictional stories that relate to animals, nature, the environment, and science. All books should subtly convey an educational theme through a warm story that is fun to read and that will grab a child’s attention. Each book has a three to five page "For Creative Minds" section to reinforce the educational component of the book itself. This section will have a craft and/or game as well as “fun facts” to be shared by the parent, teacher, or other adult. Authors do not need to supply this information but may be actively involved in its development if they would like. They do accept simultaneous submissions. Manuscripts must be less than 1500 words. E-mail submissions only. TRACY GATES, Viking. Tracy credits her sportswriter father for her love of athletic competition and her Peace Corps Volunteer mother (currently serving in Mongolia!) for her love of adventure. She edits picture books, chapter books, middle-grade novels, and young-adult fiction, and works with well-established authors, including Rich Wallace, Sally Warner, David Adler, and Elisa Carbone, and newer ones including Ron Woods, Jarrett Krosoczka and Liza Ketchum. Tracy is interested in sports-themed, adventure, contemporary and historical fiction, and fantasy. JESSICA DANDINO GARRISON, Dial, Jessica looks for fresh, authentically voiced picture books, chapter books, and 'tween and teen fiction with commercial appeal and literary heft--in other words, rich, emotionally true, character-driven stories with great hooks. Her interests tend to straddle the commercial/literary divide and run the gamut from dark future dystopias to relevant historical fiction, white-knuckled adventure to poignant/irreverent coming-of-age tales, sassy chick-lit (with lots of brains and heart) to updated fairytales with a twist-plus everything in between. Her picture book tastes tend toward the spare, silly, endearing, and witty. But regardless of format or genre, she looks for depth, complexity, heart, humor, and a voice that's true and fresh. DAVID GALE, VP and Editorial Director Simon & Schuster BFYP. Looking for all genres from PB to YA, although he despises rhyming PBs! He enjoys a quirky character driven story, and short PB (1-2 lines per page). He asked that we address submissions to the "Submissions Department" instead of to him directly. He said publishing now is more complicated and kind of schizophrenic, without rules. The picture book market is still soft. The cost of producing a book is more challenging. It's more difficult to make books earn money on paper when they are trying to get them approved. There's a lot of contradiction, and publishing a book is more of a gamble than ever. CLAUDIA GABEL is a Senior Editor at Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books, acquiring and developing middle grade and YA fiction in a variety of genres. Her best known titles are the New York Times bestselling series Summer Boys by Hailey Abbott, and the Scarlett Wakefield mystery novels by Lauren Henderson. She is also the author of the YA series In or Out (Scholastic/Point) and a forthcoming YA mash-up novel (Harper Teen). She lives in New York City. LYDIA FROST is an editor at Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. Lydia works on all kinds of books, from PBs to YA. She has been part of the editorial team on projects such as Chicken Cheeks written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes; The Case of the Case of the Mistaken Identity, the first book in the Brixton Brothers series, by Mac Barnett; and The True Gift by Patricia MacLachlan. Lydia’s particular interests lie in MG novels with strong boy or girl appeal. She also enjoys young PBs that are light in text. REBECCA FRAZER–Sourcebooks, Jabberwocky. Ms. Frazer acquires picture books, beginner chapter books, and middle-grade fiction for Jabberwocky—both series and stand-alone titles. She is interested in picture book authors and illustrators who use language and art to inspire the imagination. Rebecca is also looking for middle-grade projects in the areas of friendship, mystery, humor, fantasy, and historical fiction. CATHERINE FRANK is a senior editor at Viking Children’s Books, where she works primarily on contemporary literary young adult novels and nonfiction books for ages eight and up. Recent titles that she has edited include Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming, Louisiana’s Song by Kerry Madden, and Paranoid Park by Blake Nelson. Catherine began her career at Viking as an editorial assistant, and has worked there for more than eight years. KATE FLETCHER is an Associate Editor at Candlewick. She assisted president and publisher Karen Lotz, with such authors and illustrators as Timothy Basil Ering, Charles Smith, David Ellwand and Giggi Amateau. She now works on books by Meg Medina, Leslie McGuirk, Richard Sobol and Sam Stern. She is also the US editor of the Templar Books. Topics she’s worked on include: a photo-essay about rice, a picture book about an immigrant girl and her aunt, and a picture book about a man who takes care of little elephants. MARGARET FERGUSON–Margaret Ferguson Books (new imprint of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Inc.) Ferguson has been called Ferguson “the heart, soul, and brains of the Farrar, Straus & Giroux children’s publishing program.” Her imprint will publish approximately 15 titles per year, across all age ranges and formats. Ferguson has worked with such authors as Brock Cole, Alexandra Day, Uri Shulevitz, David Small, Sarah Stewart, and Judith Viorst. GREG FERGUSON is an editor at Egmont USA. At Egmont, Greg is responsible for acquiring and editing his own projects and working alongside Regina Griffin (executive editor) and Elizabeth Law (publisher) on other titles published by Egmont. Their first list of 15 books was published in fall 2009. Greg’s primary acquisition interests include boy’s adventure fiction, middle-grade ghost stories, horror novel (or series) for tweens, edgy and realistic YA fiction, and humorous stories for middle-grade or tweens. NANCY FERESTEN, Editor, National Geographic. National Geographic has become one of the few major publishing houses to reverse its policy of not accepting unsolicited queries from writers. Nancy wants to hear from writers, which is why they’ve opened their doors again. But, she said their team is too small to respond to every query, so they have instituted a policy that they will only respond if they’re interested in your work. She also informed the crowd that National Geographic is looking for writers of serious reference, innovative narrative nonfiction and fun reference materials. JEAN FEIWEL, Senior VP Publisher, Feiwel and Friends. Jean ran the trade division of Scholastic for twenty plus years. She has edited Only a Witch Can Fly by Alison McGhee and Taeeun Yoo, Killer Pizza by Greg Taylor, Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev, The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman, and Spellbinder by Helen Stringer. In discussing the name of her imprint, Jean says: “I feel strongly that books don't happen by themselves--they are all about the authors/artists/ editors/art directors who together are part of this process called book publishing.You can't do it alone. I couldn't do it alone. But with a little help from my friends well, there you have it.” SHAUNA FAY is an Assistant Editor at G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group. Shauna works on everything from PBs to YA novels. She has edited the PB book, Little Pink Pup by Johanna Kerby, and has worked on Jack Higgins’ YA action series written with Justin Richards, as well as Jan Bret’s Snowy Treasury, and Goodnight Goon and Runaway Mummy by Michael Rex. While open to books for all ages, she is particularly interested in MG fiction with a strong narrative voice, historical fiction, and is a sucker for a romantic ending. She is also interested in young funny, simple picture book texts and is open to rhyme. BRIAN FARREY, editor, Flux. Looking for realistic, teen fiction from authors with a unique voice. Wants to see mss. between 30,000 and 100,000 words sent by email (submissions@fluxnow.com). “At Flux, we like to say that young adult is a point of view and not a reading level. To that end, I’m building a list of edgy, realistic teen fiction that embodies young adult viewpoints and never condescends.” Brian is a sucker for a strong, distinctive voice. He’s interested in a gamut of projects—from quirky, lighthearted comedies to intense character driven dramas to imaginative, unique fantasy—but, as of this writing, if he receives one more vampire submission, his head will explode. KATE FARRELL–Editor, Holt. Henry Holt & Company publishes picture books, fiction and nonfiction. Books for older readers Ms. Farrell has edited include the following: Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly, The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson, Cold Hands, Warm Heart by Jill Wolfson, Whip It by Shauna Cross. Picture books include: Stop Snoring, Bernard! by Zachariah O’Hora, Pigs To The Rescue by John Himmelman. EMILY FABRE is an Editorial Assistant at Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing. Emily, as part of the editorial team at McElderry Books, works on everything from PBs to YA. The McElderry list is known for character-driven literary fiction and fantasy. Emily works as part of the editorial team for The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, as well as books by Zilpha Keatley Snyder and Hilary McKay. NICK ELIOPULOS-Scholastic Trade. MG and YA. Looking for boy interest novels, high concept sci fi and fantasy. He is the editor of the picture book Squirrelly Gray, the middle-grade novel The Hound of Rowan, and a forthcoming graphic-novel series called The Sons of Liberty. He also creates comics in his spare time, and has had short pieces published in the anthologies Stuck in the Middle and First Kiss (Then Tell). While he’s open to submissions for any age range or format, Nick is primarily interested in middle-grade fiction with boy appeal. He says, "Hooks help—a lot. Even once I've signed on a book, I have to pitch it to sales and marketing, who have to pitch it to retailers and librarians. If you've got a unique and memorable spin, that's half the battle won." BROOKE DWORKIN is an Editor at Grosset and Dunlap, a Division of Penguin Young Readers Group. Brooke works on everything from novelty and picture books through MG fiction. In her time at Grosset and Dunlap she has edited Periwinkle Smith and the Twirly Whirly Tutu, Everyone Says I Love You, and the upcoming A Vampire is Coming for Dinner and The Mysterious Mr. Spines: Song. She is particularly interested in novelty concepts with a seasonal angle for children aged 3-5 and MG series fiction. Brooke is unable to acquire stand-alone fiction. MARY LEE DONOVAN, Candlewick, enjoys editing a variety of genres, from nonfiction to picture books to fiction to projects that demand an audience in spite of their refusal to be neatly and easily categorized. She is the editor of the Judy Moody and Stink series by Megan McDonald, as well as the editor for Laura Amy Schlitz, author of the 2008 Newbery Medal winner, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village. Among the other authors with whom she works are Jane Cowen-Fletcher, John Lechner, Emma Magenta, Scott Nash, Catharine O'Neill, Doreen Rappaport, and Rosemary Wells. Ms. Donovan advises, “Don’t always follow the rules. Focus on what moves people.” CAITLYN DLOUHY, senior editor at Atheneum. She’s edited The Wolfbay Wings hockey series by Bruce Brooks; If You Give a Pig a Pancake, by Laura Numeroff/Felicia Bond; The Leaf Men and Santa Calls by William Joyce; BUZ by Richard Egielski; The Sky Is Always in the Sky by Karla Kuskin. Caitlyn is looking for a manuscript that sends her mind off already imagining illustrations or an illustrator. PBs must be visual, concise, and active. She loves quirky and different kinds of experiences, and if she reacts with the feeling that "I love this world and I want to be in it,' she's sold. Humor is always an appeal, but stories that touch a soft spot are also welcome. Strong characters are a must. She’s always looking for strong middle grade and YA, but generally not looking for a series. Three strong features she looks for in both YA and middle grade are compelling, vivid characters, unique voices and points of view, and a richly worked plot. Sweet Valley High books are not her forte! ALYSON DAY, editor with HarperCollins Children’s Books is currently focusing on middle-grade and young-adult manuscripts, both literary and commercial. Asked about her submission policy, Day says that she is open to query letters but not to manuscripts. KATHY DAWSON–editor at Dial. Ms. Dawson edits middle-grade and young adult novels, as well as a small number of picture books. Some of the books she has edited include BITTERBLUE by Kristin Cashore and AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS by Gennifer Choldenko. She looks for wordplay, humor, and new perspectives in picture books. One thing that appeals to her is intrigue. Great books often have a "gasp factor," she says. She also looks for adventure in a manuscript, which really means a great plot. A geat book doesn't have to be a deep character study if there's a really exciting plot. In discussing the economic downturn, she says that there are now a smaller number of people doing the same amount of work. She adds that people working in publishing are passionate about it and will ride out the storm. The current climate is tougher on picture books than MG and YA. She says the pace of change in the publishing industry is faster than ever. JOCELYN DAVIES is an Editorial Assistant at HarperCollins Children’s Books. Jocelyn works with Tara Weikum and Sarah Sevier on a wide range of projects—from picture books to YA—with a particular emphasis on YA and girls tween fiction. Among the recent titles she has helped edit are Pretty Dead by Franceska Lia Block, Tangled by Carolyn Mackler, Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott, Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison, Viloa in Reel Life by Adrianna Trigiani, and the nationally bestselling Seekers series by Erin Hunter. Always on the lookout for the kind of book you just can’t put down, Jocelyn is particularly interested in girls tween fiction with a quirky and lovable heroine and a distinct, standout voice; a fresh, unexpected take on dark and edgy high concept paranormal YA; and unique, funny (extra points if you can make me laugh on the subway!) or beautifully written coming of age stories. KRISTIN DALY (see KRISTIN DALY RENS), editor Balzer and Bray. |
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